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As an Oswald fan, I’m glad to see his merchandise showing up in more places. I’m even willing to accept that his image is being updated with the times, much as Mickey doesn’t look like he did in the 1920’s anymore.

But I’ve gotta stop a moment and take note of the fact that Disney’s spinning some of this new merchandise not with the Epic Mickey 2 release, which makes sense, but rather with Oswald’s 85th birthday. Oswald was at Universal for 78 of those 85 years, and for most of that time he just sat in a vault alone.

Should we think of this 85th birthday celebration as a make-up party for all those milestones missed? Or is this a little bit like celebrating a 50th wedding anniversary, despite having been legally separated and living apart for 47 of those years?

All I’m sure of is this: There’s no such thing as a bad reason to watch an Oswald cartoon. So here’s one of my favorites: The Mechanical Cow. I’m especially enamored of the scene with the baby, which starts around 3:20.

4 Responses to “Should Disney Celebrate Oswald’s 85th?”

I think they should absolutely acknowledge Oswald’s 85th in some fashion. Maybe not like they would for one of the fab five, but at least have some sort of acknowledgment. I think an Oswald Meet and Greet in Storybook Circus would suffice.

I don’t think I agree with your legally separated analogy. This is more like celebrating your child’s birthday who was kidnapped years ago and kept from you. And now that he’s home, Yes!! I believe that we should think of this 85th birthday celebration as a make-up party for all those milestones missed?